Lawrence and Douglas County

Douglas County Commission delays quarry review for three weeks

Douglas County commissioners will wait until March 27 before reviewing a proposal to change the timing of excavation activities at Big Springs Quarry in western Douglas County.

The item had been on the commission's agenda for 6:35 tonight. But County Administrator Craig Weinaug said the item is being deferred for three weeks at the request of a nearby property owner who asked for more time to review the proposal.

The quarry straddles the Douglas-Shawnee County line. The portion in Douglas County is subject to a conditional use permit that was originally issued to Martin Marietta Aggregates in 1990. The permit was transferred to the current operator, Mid-States Materials, in 2007.

The permit spells out a sequence for quarrying the land in phases. Mid-States is seeking a change in that sequence. The company is currently mining southeast of North 1700 Road and East 50 Road. It would next like to move immediately west, to an area lying on both sides of the county line.

Commissioners will meet at 6:35 p.m. today to act on items listed on their agenda.